IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

DIVISION THREE

STATE OF WASHINGTON,

Respondent,

v.

JOSE G. BARBOZA-CORTES

Appellant.

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OPINION PUBLISHED IN PART

PENNELL, A.C.J. — An alternative means crime is an offense that can be 

committed and proved in more than one way. When a defendant is charged with an 

alternative means crime, our constitution requires that the jury make an express, 

unanimous finding as to which alternative means forms the basis of a conviction, unless 

the State presents sufficient evidence in support of each alternative means.

Jose Barboza-Cortes claims that the rule governing alternative means crimes was 

violated in his case and that, as a result, his convictions for second degree unlawful 

possession of a firearm and second degree identity theft must be reversed. Mr. BarbozaCortes’s contentions result in a split outcome by a split panel.

FILED

AUGUST 30, 2018

In the Office of the Clerk of Court

WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
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A majority of the panel disagrees with Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s argument with 

respect to second degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Although the firearm statute 

prohibits owning, possessing or controlling a firearm, these three descriptors are not 

alternate ways of violating the same statute. They are instead (as indicated by the name of

the crime) manners of proving the singular criminal act of unlawful possession.

When it comes to the identity theft conviction, a separate majority of the panel

agrees with Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s analysis. Washington’s identity theft statute prohibits 

illegal activity involving either a “means of identification” or “financial information.” 

These two concepts do not overlap and, therefore, constitute alternative means. Because 

one of Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s identity theft convictions was not supported by evidence of 

both a means of identification and financial information, and because the court’s 

instructions did not require express jury unanimity, that conviction must be reversed.

BACKGROUND

On January 16, 2015, Juliana Garcia’s backpack went missing from her car while it 

was parked overnight at her residence. The backpack contained money Ms. Garcia had 

collected for a school fundraiser, including several checks. Ms. Garcia reported the 

stolen backpack to police.
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Eleven days later, Mr. Barboza-Cortes used an automatic teller machine (ATM) to 

deposit four checks into his bank account. Video from the ATM showed Mr. BarbozaCortes making the deposit. Three of the deposited checks were ones that had been taken 

from Ms. Garcia’s backpack. The stolen checks were not endorsed, but two of the checks 

had altered payee information. The fourth deposited check identified Dava Construction 

as the payor and Francisco Villa as the payee. Although Dava Construction is a real 

company, the financial information listed on the Dava Construction check was fictitious.

After locating Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s banking information and home address, law 

enforcement obtained a search warrant for Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s residence. The warrant 

was dated February 5, 2015, and executed that same day.

Mr. Barboza-Cortes was the sole occupant of his residence and was present at the 

time of the search. During the course of the search, officers twice obtained amended 

warrants after first finding methamphetamine and then a firearm. The firearm was a 

Stevens model pump-action shotgun. It was hidden between two bedroom mattresses. 

The gun was not fingerprinted and, other than a test fire, no further information was 

obtained about the weapon.

Mr. Barboza-Cortes was charged with various crimes as a result of the theft 

investigation and search warrant execution. A jury ultimately convicted Mr. Barboza-
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Cortes of possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm, three counts 

of third degree possession of stolen property, and four counts of identity theft. The stolen 

property counts pertained to the three stolen checks that had been deposited by Mr. 

Barboza-Cortes on January 27, 2015. The four identity theft counts pertained to each of 

the four checks deposited on January 27, including the three checks stolen from Ms. 

Garcia’s backpack and the fictitious Dava Construction check.

At sentencing, the court imposed 43 months’ imprisonment, 12 months’ 

community custody, and several legal financial obligations.

Mr. Barboza-Cortes appeals.

ANALYSIS

Alternative means crimes and lack of jury unanimity

Mr. Barboza-Cortes contends his firearm conviction and one of the four identity 

theft convictions were imposed in violation of his constitutional right to a unanimous jury 

verdict. WASH. CONST. art I, § 21. His argument rests on the claim that unlawful 

possession of a firearm and identity theft are both alternative means crimes, and that the 

trial court’s instructions left open the possibility of an improper, nonunanimous jury 

verdict. Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s constitutional claims are ones that may be raised for the 

first time on appeal. RAP 2.5(a).
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An alternative means crime is one that presents multiple ways of committing and 

proving the same offense. State v. Owens, 180 Wn.2d 90, 96, 323 P.3d 1030 (2014). 

When a criminal statute creates an alternative means crime, a defendant is entitled to an 

express unanimous jury determination as to which means forms the basis of the guilty 

verdict unless the State presents sufficient evidence to support each of the alternative 

means. Id. at 95.

Whether a given statute creates an alternative means crime is a question of 

statutory interpretation. State v. Bunker, 169 Wn.2d 571, 577-78, 283 P.3d 487 (2010). 

When engaging in statutory interpretation, our “fundamental objective is to ascertain and 

carry out the Legislature’s intent.” Dep’t of Ecology v. Campbell & Gwinn, LLC, 146 

Wn.2d 1, 9-10, 43 P.3d 4 (2002). The primary source of legislative intent is the language 

used by the legislature. If the wording and context used by the legislature render a statute 

plain on its face, then we “must give effect to that plain meaning as an expression of 

legislative intent.” Id.

Having reviewed the statutory language applicable to Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s 

arguments, a majority of our court partially agrees with Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s 

contentions. We disagree with his arguments with respect to second degree unlawful 

possession of a firearm. However, we agree that one of Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s 
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convictions for second degree identity theft must be reversed under an alternative means 

analysis.

Unlawful possession of a firearm

Under RCW 9.41.040(2)(a), a person “is guilty of the crime of unlawful 

possession of a firearm in the second degree, if . . . the person owns, has in his or her 

possession, or has in his or her control any firearm” after suffering one of several forms 

of disenfranchisement outlined by statute. The trial court instructed the jury pursuant to 

the foregoing terms of the statute and the jury convicted.

On appeal, Mr. Barboza-Cortes claims RCW 9.41.040(2)(a) encompasses three 

distinctive means of committing the same crime. He focuses on the use of the word “or” 

and argues the legislature contemplated that an individual can be convicted under the 

statute by one of the distinct acts of owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm. 

Because Mr. Barboza-Cortes was the sole occupant of the residence where the firearm 

was found, the State plainly presented sufficient evidence of possession and control. 

State v. Chakos, 74 Wn.2d 154, 157-58, 443 P.2d 815 (1968). However, Mr. BarbozaCortes argues the record lacked any evidence of ownership. Because the jury was not 

provided a unanimity instruction, Mr. Barboza-Cortes claims some of the jurors might 
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have voted to convict him for a charge that lacked sufficient facts. Accordingly, Mr. 

Barboza-Cortes contends his conviction must be reversed.

We disagree with Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s analysis. The word “or” is not, by itself, a 

strong indicator of an alternative means crime. State v. Peterson, 168 Wn.2d 763, 770, 

230 P.3d 588 (2010). Instead, we look at the other statutory language, as well as context. 

Here, the legislature preceded the three-verb phrase noted by Mr. Barboza-Cortes with 

the statement that it was designating “the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm in the 

second degree.” RCW 9.41.040(2)(a). Then the legislature listed three methods in 

which unlawful possession can occur: ownership, possession, or control. Ownership and 

control are part of the dictionary definition of possession.1

 In addition, the concept of 

control is a method of proving constructive possession. State v. Callahan, 77 Wn.2d 27, 

29, 459 P.2d 400 (1969). And ownership of an item can be evidence of constructive

 1 “Possession” is defined as “[1 a] : the act or condition of having in or taking into 

one’s control . . . [b :] actual physical control or occupancy of property . . . without 

regard to . . . ownership . . . [d :] control of the playing piece (as a ball or puck) . . . <the 

home team took [possession] on its own one yard line> [2 :] something owned, occupied, 

or controlled : a thing possessed . . . [3 :] the condition or fact of being possessed by 

something . . . [a :] the condition of being dominated by something (as an extraneous 

personality, demon, passion, idea, or purpose) . . . [b :] a psychological state in which an 

individual’s normal personality is replaced by another [c :] the fact or condition of being 

self-controlled.” Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1770 (1993) (emphasis 

added).
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possession. Id. at 31. The fact that the concepts of ownership and control are inherent in 

the very act of possession indicates the legislature did not intend to create separate crimes.

State v. Sandholm, 184 Wn.2d 726, 734-35, 364 P.3d 87 (2015).

Our review of RCW 9.41.040(2)(a) indicates the legislature plainly intended to 

prohibit one type of activity, unlawful possession of a firearm. Ownership and control are 

terms that merely serve to “elaborate upon and clarify” manners in which possession can 

occur. State v. Smith, 159 Wn.2d 778, 785-86, 154 P.3d 873 (2007). They constitute 

“‘means within a means.’” Id. at 787. They do not create alternative means. To the 

extent State v. Holt, 119 Wn. App. 712, 82 P.3d 688 (2004) indicates otherwise,2 we 

respectfully disagree with that decision.

Second degree identity theft

RCW 9.35.020(1) creates the crime of second degree identity theft. The statute 

declares:

No person may knowingly obtain, possess, use, or transfer a means of 

identification or financial information of another person, living or dead, 

with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any crime.

(Emphasis added.) The trial court’s identity theft instructions were consistent with this 

 2 While the Holt court characterized RCW 9.41.040 as an alternative means crime, 

119 Wn. App. at 718, the decision did not provide any analysis of his claim and ultimately 

denied Mr. Holt relief.
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language.

Mr. Barboza-Cortes contends the use of the disjunctive nouns “means of 

identification or financial information” within the identity theft statute establishes two 

alternative means of committing the crime. In addition, Mr. Barboza-Cortes claims that 

because the State was unable to prove that he obtained, possessed, used, or transferred 

any “financial information” of Dava Construction (as opposed to Dava Construction’s 

“means of identification”) his conviction pertaining to the Dava Construction check must 

be overturned. Mr. Barboza-Cortes does not challenge the fact that his other identity theft 

convictions were based on checks that bore both a means of identification and financial 

information. As a consequence, those convictions are not vulnerable to a unanimity 

challenge.

We previously addressed whether identity theft was an alternative means crime in 

State v. Butler, 194 Wn. App. 525, 374 P.3d 1232 (2016). In Butler, Division Two of our 

court held that identity theft is not an alternative means crime. However, Butler did not 

address the argument raised by Mr. Barboza-Cortes. Butler addressed only the four 

disjunctive verbs set forth in RCW 9.35.020, “obtain, possess, use, or transfer.” The 

Butler court held that these four verbs did not create alternative means of committing 
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identity theft. 194 Wn. App. at 529-30. Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s argument regarding the 

alternative nouns set forth in the statute is an issue never considered in Butler.

Our analysis of whether the identity theft statute constitutes an alternative means 

crime, as argued by Mr. Barboza-Cortes, turns on the meaning of the terms “means of 

identification” and “financial information.” The legislature has defined the two terms as 

follows:

“Financial information” means any of the following information 

identifiable to the individual that concerns the amount and conditions of an 

individual’s assets, liabilities, or credit:

(a) Account numbers and balances;

(b) Transactional information concerning an account; and

(c) Codes, passwords, social security numbers, tax identification 

numbers, driver's license or permit numbers, state identicard numbers issued

by the department of licensing, and other information held for the purpose 

of account access or transaction initiation.

. . . .

“Means of identification” means information or an item that is not 

describing finances or credit but is personal to or identifiable with an 

individual or other person, including: A current or former name of the 

person, telephone number, an electronic address, or identifier of the 

individual or a member of his or her family, including the ancestor of the 

person; information relating to a change in name, address, telephone 

number, or electronic address or identifier of the individual or his or her 

family; a social security, driver’s license, or tax identification number of the 

individual or a member of his or her family; and other information that 

could be used to identify the person, including unique biometric data. 

RCW 9.35.005(1), (3).
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A close read of the statute reveals the definitions of “means of identification” and 

“financial information” do not overlap. By excluding information or items “describing 

finances or credit” from the definition of a “means of identification,” the legislature 

indicated its intent to outline two separate manners of committing identity theft. Cf. 

Butler, 194 Wn. App. at 528 (statute divided into subparts more likely to designate an 

alternative means); State v. Lindsey, 177 Wn. App. 233, 241, 311 P.3d 61 (2013) (same). 

While the definitions of “means of identification” and “financial information” both list 

social security numbers, tax identification numbers, and driver’s license numbers as 

qualifying types of information, this is not an indication of overlap. Social security 

numbers, tax identification numbers, and driver’s license numbers can be used by 

financial institutions to identify specific accounts. In such circumstances, the numbers 

are used for “account access or transaction initiation” and therefore qualify as financial 

information. RCW 9.35.005(1). But outside the financial context, the definitional statute 

makes clear that the numbers constitute means of identification.

We recognize that definitional statutes do not create alternative means crimes. 

Smith, 159 Wn.2d at 785; State v. Linehan, 147 Wn.2d 638, 646, 56 P.3d 542 (2002). 

But here, the alternative means for identity theft are not hidden away in a definitional 

statute. Instead, the two means are listed as part of the substantive offense. The 
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definitional statute merely serves to articulate the distinct nature of the two terms listed in 

the substantive crime.

Based on the wording of substantive text chosen by the legislature, one commits 

the crime of identity theft either by obtaining/possessing/using/transferring financial 

information or by obtaining/possessing/using/transferring a means of identification. It is 

possible, if not common, for one to commit both acts at the same time, such as what 

occurs when a defendant fraudulently passes a check bearing another person’s name 

(means of identification) and account number (financial information). But the two acts 

do not inhere in each other. By using a document bearing another’s name or address, one 

is not presenting financial information. And by presenting a document bearing an 

account number, one is not presenting another person’s means of identification. Because 

the identity theft statute contemplates two very distinct types of actions, it qualifies as an 

alternative means crime. Cf. Owens, 180 Wn.2d at 99 (statute does not create alternative 

means when many of the alternate methods listed by statute are not severable).

Having concluded that identity theft is an alternative means crime and that the jury 

was not provided a unanimity instruction, we must examine whether the State presented 

sufficient evidence of each alternative means. With respect to the Dava Construction 

check, the State’s evidence was that the check deposited by Mr. Barboza-Cortes 
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contained an existing company name and address. However, the check did not bear any 

accurate financial information. Given these circumstances, the State only submitted 

sufficient evidence as to one of the two alternative means of the crime charged. Although 

the State satisfied its burden of producing evidence that the Dava Construction check 

constituted a means of identification, there was no evidence that the check qualified as 

financial information.

The State recognizes it failed to present evidence that the Dava Construction 

offense involved any financial information. Nevertheless, the State claims the absolute 

lack of evidence means the jury must have based its verdict on the alternative means of 

obtaining, possessing, or using the construction company’s means of identification. This 

argument is inconsistent with standards set by the Supreme Court regarding alternative 

means crimes. “When one alternative means of committing a crime has evidentiary 

support and another does not, courts may not assume the jury relied unanimously on the 

supported means.” State v. Woodlyn, 188 Wn.2d 157, 162, 392 P.3d 1062 (2017). The 

complete lack of evidence as to one of the alternative means is what requires reversal. Id. 

at 165-66. It does not allow us to “‘rule out’” the possibility that a juror may have 

convicted the defendant on an unsupported alternative means. Id.
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Given that a conviction for identity theft can be obtained in two distinct ways and 

that the State failed to present evidence with respect to one of the two ways, the lack of an 

express unanimity instruction means Mr. Barboza-Cortes is entitled to reversal of this 

conviction without prejudice.3

A majority of the panel having determined that only the foregoing portion of this 

opinion will be printed in the Washington Appellate Reports and that the remainder 

having no precedential value shall be filed for public record pursuant to RCW 2.06.040, it 

is so ordered.

Remaining claims

Search warrant

Mr. Barboza-Cortes challenges the search of his residence, arguing that the 

affidavit in support of the search warrant failed to establish a nexus between any seizable 

items and his home. State v. Thein, 138 Wn.2d 133, 147, 977 P.2d 582 (1999). We 

review this legal argument de novo, State v. Chamberlin, 161 Wn.2d 30, 40, 162 P.3d 389 

(2007), and hold that the affidavit provided adequate nonconclusory facts indicating that 

evidence of alleged crimes would be found at Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s home.

 3 The applicable conviction was contained in count 12 of the fifth amended 

information. Clerk’s Papers at 203.
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Probable cause to believe a person committed a crime does not necessarily support 

probable cause to search that person’s home. Thein, 138 Wn.2d at 148; State v. Dunn, 

186 Wn. App. 889, 897, 348 P.3d 791 (2015). Conclusory generalizations about criminal 

activity are inadequate to establish probable cause. Thein, 138 Wn.2d at 147-48. 

However, a court may infer that law enforcement will find stolen property at a 

perpetrator’s residence if the perpetrator had an opportunity to return home before his 

apprehension by the police. Dunn, 186 Wn. App. at 897. 

Here, the timing of the warrant and the nature of the items sought supported 

probable cause for issuance of the warrant. By the time the police sought the warrant, 20 

days had passed since the original theft and over a week had passed since Mr. BarbozaCortes had deposited stolen checks into his bank account. Mr. Barboza-Cortes thus had 

sufficient time to secrete evidence related to stolen property at his residence. Yet not too 

much time had passed to raise staleness concerns. In addition, the nature of the items 

sought (a stolen backpack, indicia of residence, a pair of shoes)4 are the types of items 

likely stored at a home. Based on the allegations set forth in the warrant affidavit, there 

was a sufficient basis to believe that evidence outlined in the affidavit would be found at

 4 Fresh shoeprints were found in the snow near Ms. Garcia’s car after the backpack 

was stolen from it.
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Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s home.

Sufficiency of evidence

Mr. Barboza-Cortes contends the State’s evidence was insufficient to convict him 

of unlawful firearm possession, identity theft, and possession of stolen property. His 

challenge goes to the State’s proof of mens rea. With respect to the firearm charge, Mr. 

Barboza-Cortes claims there was insufficient evidence to show knowing possession of the 

shotgun, which was hidden between two mattresses. As for the other charges, Mr. 

Barboza-Cortes claims the State lacked evidence to show he knew the checks deposited to 

his bank account had been stolen. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the 

State, State v. Green, 94 Wn.2d 216, 221-22, 616 P.2d 628 (1980), we find the evidence 

sufficient as to all charges.

As explained above, the fact that Mr. Barboza-Cortes was the sole occupant of the 

residence where the shotgun was found provided the State with sufficient evidence of 

knowledge to support the firearm conviction. Chakos, 74 Wn.2d at 157-58. With respect 

to the remaining charges, the ATM video surveillance shows Mr. Barboza-Cortes 

possessed and deposited checks that were not made out to him and contained financial 

information that was not his. This was sufficient to satisfy the mens rea requirements of 

his stolen property and identity theft convictions. RCW 9.35.020(1); RCW 9A.56.170.
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Double jeopardy

Mr. Barboza-Cortes argues that his three convictions for possession of stolen 

property (stemming from the three checks stolen from the backpack) encompass the same 

offense for double jeopardy purposes. Relying on State v. McReynolds, 117 Wn. App. 

309, 340, 71 P.3d 663 (2003), he contends that simultaneous possession of various items 

of property stolen from multiple owners constitutes one unit of prosecution of the crime 

of possession of stolen property.

While the State does not fully agree with Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s factual analysis, it 

nevertheless concedes error and agrees that Mr. Barboza-Cortes should only be convicted 

of one count of possession of stolen property. The remaining counts should be dismissed. 

We accept the State’s concession and direct that two of Mr. Barboza-Cortes’s three

convictions for possession of stolen property be reversed and dismissed.

Sentencing

Mr. Barboza-Cortes claims the trial court committed several errors at sentencing, 

including a miscalculation of his offender score based on washed out offenses; imposition

of a noncrime-related community custody condition, prohibiting Mr. Barboza-Cortes 

from frequenting places whose principal source of income is the sale of alcoholic 
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State v. Barboza-Cortes 

beverages;5 imposition of a $250 drug enforcement fee that was included on the judgment 

and sentence, but not mentioned at sentencing; and imposition of a $250 jury demand fee, 

despite Mr. Barboza-Cortes's inability to pay.6 Because we are reversing a portion of Mr. 

Barboza-Cortes's convictions, his sentence must be reversed. Mr. Barboza-Cortes may 

raise the aforementioned claims of error at resentencing. 

CONCLUSION 

Mr. Barboza-Cortes's conviction for one count of second degree identity theft 

(count 12) is reversed without prejudice. Two of Mr. Barboza-Cortes's convictions for 

possession of stolen property are dismissed with prejudice, pursuant to Mr. BarbozaCortes's double jeopardy argument. Mr. Barboza-Cortes's sentence is reversed and this 

matter is remanded for further proceedings consistent with the terms of this opinion. 

Because Mr. Barboza-Cortes has partially prevailed on appeal, the State shall not be 

awarded appellate costs. 

Pennell, A.C.J. 

5 We have previously stricken similar conditions imposed in drug cases as not 

crime related. State v. Davis, No. 34766-4-111 (Wash. Ct. App. Sept. 28, 2017) 

(unpublished), http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/347644.pdf. 

6 As of June 7, 2018, a jury demand fee is a discretionary cost that may not be 

imposed against a defendant who is found to be indigent at the time of sentencing. RCW 

10.46.190. LAWS OF 2018, ch. 269, § 9. 

18 
No. 34356-1-III

KORSMO, J. — (concurring and dissenting) – I join all of the excellent lead opinion 

except its discussion of whether identity theft is an alternative means offense. We have 

already answered that question in State v. Butler, 194 Wn. App. 525, 374 P.3d 1232 

(2016). Moreover, even if it were an alternative means offense, we should still be 

affirming the conviction on count 12 because the prosecutor elected the means he was 

asking the jury to consider. The election doctrine should be just as availing in alternative 

means cases as it is in multiple acts prosecutions. For both of those reasons, I dissent in 

part from the reversal of that charge.

Identity Theft Is Not an Alternative Means Offense

In order to ensure the state constitutional right to a jury trial under Art. I, § 21 is 

satisfied, Washington requires that a jury verdict in a criminal case be unanimous. State 

v. Owens, 180 Wn.2d 90, 95, 323 P.3d 1030 (2014). That right extends to unanimity of 

means if the charge includes alternative means of committing the offense. Id. An 

alternative means offense is one “by which the criminal conduct may be proved in a 

variety of ways.” Id. at 96. That right to unanimity is satisfied if there is sufficient 

evidence to support each means of the offense or if there is an express verdict on a 

specific means. Id. at 95. If the evidence is insufficient on one of the means of 
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committing the offense, a general verdict must be reversed and the case remanded for a 

new trial. State v. Woodlyn, 188 Wn.2d 157, 165, 392 P.3d 1062 (2017); State v. OrtegaMartinez, 124 Wn.2d 702, 708, 881 P.2d 231 (1994). 

Determining whether a crime consists of alternate means is an issue that has 

revived in recent years, fueled perhaps, by the adoption of new and more complex 

criminal statutes. At its heart, the basic inquiry is one of legislative intent. State v. Arndt, 

87 Wn.2d 374, 377-378, 553 P.2d 1328 (1976). In the absence of express legislative 

intent, courts consider four factors: (1) the title of the act, (2) whether there is a 

connection between the various acts set out, (3) whether the acts are consistent with and 

not repugnant to each other, and (4) whether the acts inhere in the same transaction. Id. 

at 378-384. Various principles of statutory construction also provide aid. Owens, 180 

Wn.2d at 96; Arndt, 87 Wn.2d at 384-385. 

Owens involved the first degree trafficking in stolen property statute:

A person who knowingly initiates, organizes, plans, finances, directs, 

manages, or supervises the theft of property for sale to others, or who 

knowingly traffics in stolen property, is guilty of trafficking in stolen 

property in the first degree.

RCW 9A.82.050(1) (emphasis added). The court concluded that the first seven verbs 

addressed related behaviors constituting one form of trafficking, while the italicized 

clause constituted a second means of committing the crime. Owens, 180 Wn.2d at 98-99. 

In reaching that decision, the court emphasized the similarities of the first seven verbs 
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and noted that all were just forms of stealing property. Id. at 99. In that regard, it noted 

that when considering the failure to register statute, the court had determined that the 

three asserted alternative means (failing to register after becoming homeless, changing 

residences within county, moving between counties) were too similar to constitute 

distinct means. Id. at 97, 99 (discussing State v. Peterson, 168 Wn.2d 763, 230 P.3d 588 

(2010)). Instead, they were all simply forms of failing to register. Owens, 180 Wn.2d at 

99.

Identity theft is defined in RCW 9.35.020(1):

No person may knowingly obtain, possess, use, or transfer a means of 

identification or financial information of another person, living or dead, 

with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any crime.

(Emphasis added.) This statute was authoritatively construed in this context in Butler. 

There the appellant argued that the four verbs (italicized above) created four alternative 

methods of committing identity theft. 194 Wn. App. at 529. Applying the Owens

analysis of the four verbs, Butler noted that each described similar actions. Id. at 529-

530. They were not “distinct means” of committing identity theft, but were “multiple 

facets of a single means.” Id. at 530. The words did not require a complete overlap in 

meaning to constitute the same conduct. Id. “Because no single action in the statute 

could be completed without simultaneously completing at least one other action, the 

various acts are too similar to constitute distinct alternative means.” Id. Accordingly, the 

court held that “identity theft is not an alternative means crime.” Id. 
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Appreciating that Butler otherwise dooms his position, Mr. Barboza-Cortes 

argues, and the majority agrees, that identity theft constitutes an alternative means 

offense because the objects of the four verbs—financial information or personal 

identification1

—are different. Although this is an interesting question, I think the Owens

approach compels the same answer that Butler gave.

The focus of Owens was on the practical meaning of the verbs before it and the 

acknowledgement that the behaviors listed “overlapped” (in the language of the majority) 

in the practical sense that it was difficult, if not impossible, to commit the act in one 

manner without violating other statutory prohibitions. Understandably, Butler reached 

the same result when construing the verbs at issue in this statute. While the majority 

distinguishes this case by focusing, as Mr. Barboza-Cortes argues, on the two objects of 

the verbs (financial information and personal identification) being discrete, I think that is 

the wrong focus. The criminal law prohibits actions that are contrary to the good of 

society. The statute’s verbs are its action words, just as they are for any sentence 

constructed using English or any other romance language. Those are the words that 

define the actions that the legislature seeks to prohibit. They are the proper focus of an 

alternative means analysis.

 1 See the underlined emphasis in the statute above.
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes

5

The same result occurred in Peterson. At issue there was only a single verb phrase 

(failure to register), and at least three different ways of failing to register. Nonetheless, 

the court found that those three ways of violating the registration requirement were all the 

same conduct because there was only a single prohibited action—failing to register. 168 

Wn.2d at 770. The focus was on the verb rather than on the objects of the verb.2

 I think 

the same thing should happen here. The essence of this offense is wrongly exploiting the 

personal information of another, whether it be financial information or personal identity 

information, by one of the methods listed in the statute. Although both financial and 

personal identity information are protected, the statute does not make mere knowledge of 

another person’s information a crime. It is the misuse of that information that is 

actionable. Together, the personal identification and financial information language 

broadly protects an individual’s most sensitive and valuable information. The protection 

of that sensitive information is the true object of the statute. In many instances, the 

financial information and identity information will overlap—the checks at issue in the 

other counts of identity theft in this case contained both types of information. There 

frequently will be an overlap in proof. 

 2 Appellant has not identified a single statute where a court has engaged in an 

alternative means analysis of anything other than a verb. This case appears to be unique 

in that regard.
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State v. Barboza-Cortes

6

As a practical matter, the unanimity problem is seldom genuinely at issue in 

circumstances like this. The behavior at issue in count 12 involved a single check 

allegedly passed by the defendant. The question for the jury was whether or not he 

passed the check, not whether the check involved personal identity information as 

opposed to financial information. The nature of personal information is unlikely to be at 

issue in a trial. 

By focusing on the objects instead of the verbs, I believe the majority has reversed 

the alternative means analysis. As Butler recognized, identity theft is not an alternative 

means statute.

This conclusion also is consistent with the unit of prosecution for identity theft. 

Construing the various methods of committing identity theft, our court declared that the 

unit of prosecution for identity theft is each identification or information of a victim that 

is used, transferred, obtained or possessed, not each action taken against the victim. State 

v. Leyda, 157 Wn.2d 335, 345, 138 P.3d 610 (2006). Once the action is taken against the 

victim, repeated uses (or transfers, etc.) are part of the same continuing course of 

conduct. Id. at 342-350. This unit of prosecution strongly confirms my view that it is the 

verbs that are at issue when construing criminal behavior, not the objects of those actions. 

For the noted reasons, I respectfully disagree with the majority’s construction of 

the identity theft statute.
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes

7

Jury Unanimity Was Assured by the Prosecutor’s Election

Moreover, if this was in fact an alternative means case, then an additional problem 

presents itself. Here, the prosecutor elected the means by which the jury should reach its 

verdict. He expressly told the jury that this was an identification case and that there was 

no evidence of financial records since that information was known to be false. In the like 

circumstances involving multiple acts cases, the prosecutor’s election of the evidence on 

which he is relying serves to guarantee jury unanimity. I do not see the alternative means 

cases as being any different. If election of acts suffices to ensure unanimity, election of 

means should do the same.

In “multiple acts” cases where more different criminal actions were proven than 

were alleged, the constitution requires that the jury either be instructed on the need to 

agree on the specific act proved or the State must elect the specific act it is relying on in 

order to ensure that a unanimous verdict was returned. This type of error requires a new 

trial unless shown to be harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Camarillo, 115 

Wn.2d 60, 64, 794 P.2d 850 (1990); State v. Kitchen, 110 Wn.2d 403, 405-406, 414, 756 

P.2d 105 (1988).

3

 3 Similarly, when a jury considers an alternative means that was not supported by 

the evidence, the remedy is to reverse the conviction and remand for a new trial on the 

alternative means that was supported by the record. State v. Green, 94 Wn.2d 216, 235, 

616 P.2d 628 (1980).
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State v. Barboza-Cortes

8

Here, there was no error because the prosecutor expressly told the jury his theory 

during closing argument. He expressly eschewed reliance on the financial information 

prong of the statute because the information on the fraudulent check clearly was false. 

The majority dismisses this argument on the basis that it is inconsistent with 

Woodlyn. It is not. In Woodlyn, as in numerous other failed alternative means 

prosecutions such as Green, the question of election was not presented. Instead, the 

problem was whether sufficient evidence supported all of the means presented to the jury. 

Whether any of those means was successfully withdrawn from jury consideration by the 

prosecutor’s election of means was never at issue.

The issue was raised in State v. Lobe, 140 Wn. App. 897, 167 P.3d 627 (2007). At 

issue there were multiple counts of witness tampering; the State conceded on two counts 

that insufficient evidence was presented about one of the alternative means of committing 

the crime, but argued that the prosecutor had elected for the jury a means of committing 

the crime that were supported by sufficient evidence. Id. at 902. The majority opinion 

determined that the election of means was inadequate in each instance. Id. at 906. In 

contrast, the dissenting judge found the elections sufficient. Id. at 907 et seq. (Hunt, J., 

dissenting). 

Similarly, the Washington Supreme Court has at least twice recognized that an 

alternative means problem does not arise if the jury was not presented with alternative 

means for consideration. Peterson, 168 Wn.2d at 771 n.6; State v. Smith, 159 Wn.2d 
No. 34356-1-111 

State v. Barboza-Cortes 

778, 790, 154 P.3d 873 (2007). The prosecutor's selection of the means he was relying 

on here effectively withdrew the other alternative from the jury's consideration, just as an 

election does in the context of a multiple acts case. 

If the prosecutor's selection of which act he was relying on is sufficient to 

preserve unanimity in a multiple acts case such as Kitchen, it is equally effective in an 

alternative means case. Here, the prosecutor told the jury that only one means was at 

issue in count 12. That election sufficed. 

For both reasons, I respectfully dissent from the majority's reversal of count 12. I 

concur in all other aspects of the lead opinion. 

9 
No. 34356-1-III

FEARING, J. (concur in part/dissent in part) — I concur in part and dissent in part 

with the majority. I agree with my two colleagues to uphold the search of Jose BarbozaCortes’ premises and to affirm Barboza-Cortes’ conviction for unlawful possession of 

methamphetamine with intent to deliver and three convictions of possession of stolen 

property. I am part of the majority that holds that second degree identity theft constitutes 

a partial alternative means crime with regards to the object of the theft. With the writer 

of the lead opinion, I reverse Jose Barboza-Cortes’ conviction for second degree identity 

theft with regard to an imitation Dava Construction check. I dissent from the majority’s 

ruling that unlawful possession of a firearm does not pose an alternative means crime. I 

would also reverse the conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm. 

SOME FACTS

Wenatchee police officers executed a search warrant to gather banking 

information and shoes at Jose Barboza-Cortes’ residence. Barboza-Cortes, but no one 

else, was present at the time. Police officers found methamphetamine. On discovery of 

the methamphetamine, law enforcement ceased the search until Corporal Nathan Hahn

procured an amended search warrant to include seizure of methamphetamine. 
No. 34356-1-III

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2

During the reinstated search, Sergeant Richard Johnson recovered a Stevens model 

pump-action shotgun between two mattresses in the bedroom. Officers needed to pull the 

mattresses apart. Sergeant Johnson found no shotgun shells. Corporal Nathan Hahn then 

sought and obtained a second amended search warrant to allow seizure of firearms. Law 

enforcement took the shotgun but never tested it for fingerprints. The officers never saw 

Jose Barboza-Cortes holding the shotgun and never knew who brought the shotgun into 

the residence. 

SOME PROCEDURE

During trial, the State presented no testimony that Jose Barboza-Cortes owned the

firearm found in his residence. Thereafter defense counsel proposed a jury instruction,

for the second degree unlawful possession of a firearm charge, which read that, in order

to convict Barboza-Cortes of the charge, the jury must find the following elements

beyond a reasonable doubt:

(1) That on or about the second day of February, 2015, the defendant

knowingly had a firearm in his possession or control;

(2) That the defendant had previously been convicted of a felony;

and

(3) That the possession or control of the firearm occurred in the State

of Washington. 

Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 195-96. The trial court declined to deliver Jose Barboza-Cortes’

proposed instruction and instead instructed the jury that, in order to convict Barboza-
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

3

Cortes of second degree unlawful possession of a firearm, the jury must find the

following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

(1) That on or about the 5th day of February, 2015, the defendant

knowingly owned, possessed or had in his control a firearm;

(2) That prior to owning, possessing, or having the firearm under his

control, the defendant had been convicted of a felony; and

(3) That the acts occurred in the State of Washington. 

CP at 207, 225 (emphasis added). 

In closing argument, the State argued that the only evidence presented showed that 

Jose Barboza-Cortes possessed no financial information about Dava Construction. The 

prosecution stated:

On the Dava Construction check, the bank—Ms. Cochran, from 

Cashmere Valley Bank, indicated, well that check, actually, wasn’t even 

legitimate, to begin with. You are not being asked if that check was a 

stolen check or not.

Report of Proceedings (RP) (Feb. 25, 2016) at 402. The State’s attorney added: 

[t]he checks—except for the Dava construction check—also have 

financial information on them. And, as, probably many of you know, you 

have an account number and a routing number, on the bottom of those

checks. That’s financial information. 

RP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 424-25. The State argued that the checks, other than the Dava

Construction check, contained both identifying information and financial information. 

During closing argument, the State argued that Jose Barboza-Cortes possessed and 

controlled dominion over the Stevens model shotgun. The State did not argue that 

Barboza-Cortes owned the firearm. 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

4

SECOND DEGREE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM

Jose Barboza-Cortes argues that the trial court committed error when failing to 

deliver a unanimity jury instruction for the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm in 

the second degree. He seeks reversal of his conviction for this crime. To address 

whether the trial court should have given a unanimity instruction, I must first determine if 

unlawful possession of a firearm is an alternative means crime. I later address whether 

evidence sufficed to convict Jose Barboza-Cortes on each of the alternative means of 

committing unlawful possession of a firearm. 

The trial court instructed the jury that Jose Barboza-Cortes committed the crime, if 

“on or about the 5th day of February, 2015, the defendant knowingly owned, possessed 

or had in his control a firearm.” CP at 207 (emphasis added). The trial court did not 

instruct the jury it must be unanimous in its verdict as to whether Barboza-Cortes owned 

the firearm, possessed the firearm, or controlled the firearm. Barboza-Cortes contends 

that he was entitled to a unanimity jury instruction on the charge of second degree

unlawful possession of a firearm because of the alternate means of committing the crime. 

The State answers that the trial court did not err when failing to render a unanimity

instruction for unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree because RCW 

9.41.040(2)(a) does not create alternate means to commit the crime. 

The alternative means determination relates to the constitutionally protected right 

of jury unanimity required under article I, section 21 of the Washington Constitution. 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

5

State v. Owens, 180 Wn.2d 90, 95, 323 P.3d 1030 (2014). An alternative means crime 

results from multiple means of proving the charge. State v. Owens, 180 Wn.2d at 96. 

When the State may present compound means of proving the crime, the trial court must 

instruct the jury that it must be unanimous as to the particular means on which it convicts, 

unless sufficient evidence supports each of the alternative means. State v. Owens, 180 

Wn.2d at 95. 

The legislature has not defined what constitutes an alternative means crime or 

designated which crimes comprise alternative means crimes. State v. Owens, 180 Wn.2d 

at 96. Therefore, the courts must determine whether a crime constitutes an alternative 

means crime by reviewing each statute on its own merits. State v. Owens, 180 Wn.2d at 

96. We must review the nature of the language employed with regard to differing 

methods to commit the crime. 

In one sense, any statute that lists more than one action when defining the crime 

creates an alternative means crime. Nevertheless, the law does not deem any such statute 

to construct an alternative means crime if the actions, be they described by verbs, nouns, 

or prepositional phrases, vary inconsequentially in meaning. Alternative means should 

be probed based on how varied the actions are that could constitute the crime. State v.

Owens, 180 Wn.2d at 97. If no single action expressed in the statute can be completed 

without simultaneously completing at least one other action, the various acts are too 

similar to constitute distinct alternative means. State v. Butler, 194 Wn. App. 525, 530, 
No. 34356-1-III

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6

374 P.3d 1232 (2016). Because some differing ways of committing a crime may be close 

in nature and some not close in nature, a crime may be a limited alternative means crime. 

Jose Barboza-Cortes principally relies on State v. Holt, 119 Wn. App. 712, 82 P.3d 

688 (2004). The State agrees that State v. Holt, 119 Wn. App. 712 holds that second

degree unlawful possession of a firearm is an alternative means offense committed when

a convicted felon (1) owns, (2) possesses, or (3) controls a firearm. The State, however, 

criticizes the decision and asks that we issue a contrary ruling. 

In State v. Holt, Division Two of this court wrote:

Second degree unlawful possession of a firearm is an alternative 

means offense committed when a convicted felon (1) owns, (2) possesses, 

or (3) controls a firearm. RCW 9.41.040(1)(b). 

State v. Holt, 119 Wn. App. at 718. I consider the Holt ruling to be dicta. The court 

engaged in no analysis before holding unlawful possession of a firearm to be an 

alternative methods crime. The court eventually held that it need not address Bobby 

Holt’s assignment that the trial court erred for withholding a unanimity instruction 

because Holt proposed the jury instruction delivered by the trial court. Holt also has the 

distinguishing feature that the trial court only instructed the jury that it could convict Holt 

of unlawful possession of a firearm if he possessed or controlled a firearm. The 

instructions did not place into issue any ownership of the firearm. Therefore, I perform 

an independent analysis of whether second degree unlawful possession of a firearm 

constitutes an alternative means crime. 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

7

The controlling statute, RCW 9.41.040, declares, in portion: 

(2)(a) A person . . . is guilty of the crime of unlawful possession of a 

firearm in the second degree, if the person . . . owns, has in his or her 

possession, or has in his or her control any firearm:

(i) After having previously been convicted . . . in this state or 

elsewhere of any felony not specifically listed as prohibiting firearm 

possession under subsection (1) of this section. . . . 

(Emphasis added.) Note that the disjunctive “or” separates the verbs “owns,” 

“possesses,” and “controls.” The court’s jury instruction followed this language. 

Employment of English grammar rules about the disjunctive conjunction should lead one 

to conclude that unlawful possession of a firearm constitutes an alternative means crime

with three alternate means, but sometimes law does not follow grammar perhaps because 

legislators are not grammarians. 

Use of the disjunctive “or” in a list of methods for committing the crime does not 

necessarily create alternative means of committing the crime. State v. Peterson, 168 

Wn.2d 763, 770, 230 P.3d 588 (2010). An alternative means analysis places less weight 

on the use of the disjunctive “or” and more weight on the distinctiveness of the verbs or 

nouns that form the criminal conduct. State v. Sandholm, 184 Wn.2d 726, 735, 364 P.3d 

87 (2015). The more varied the criminal conduct, the more likely the statute describes 

alternative means. State v. Sandholm, 184 Wn.2d at 734. But when the statute describes 

minor nuances inhering in the same act, the more likely the various “‘alternatives’” are 

merely facets of the same criminal conduct. State v. Sandholm, 184 Wn.2d at 734. 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

8

The State emphasizes State v. Owens, 180 Wn.2d 90 (2014) and State v. Butler, 

194 Wn. App. 525 (2016). In Owens, the state Supreme Court addressed whether RCW 

9A.82.050, the trafficking in stolen property statute, creates an alternative means crime. 

The court held the crime to encompass two alternative methods rather than the eight 

methods declared by this court. RCW 9A.82.050(1) reads: 

[a] person who knowingly initiates, organizes, plans, finances, 

directs, manages, or supervises the theft of property for sale to others, or 

who knowingly traffics in stolen property, is guilty of trafficking in stolen 

property in the first degree.

Division One of the Court of Appeals held that RCW 9A.82.050(1) describes eight 

alternative means: knowingly (1) initiating, (2) organizing, (3) planning, (4) financing, 

(5) directing, (6) managing, or (7) supervising the theft of property for sale to others, or 

(8) knowingly trafficking in stolen property. The Supreme Court disagreed and adopted 

the approach taken by Division Two in State v. Lindsey, 177 Wn. App. 233, 311 P.3d 61 

(2013). Analyzing the statute as a whole, RCW 9A.82.050(1) describes only two 

alternative means of trafficking in stolen property. The placement and repetition of the 

word “knowingly” suggests that the legislature intended two means. The first 

“knowingly” relates to all seven terms in the first part of the statute as a group. Similarly, 

the phrase “the theft of property for sale to others” relates to the entire group. Treating 

these terms as a group indicates that they represent multiple facets of a single means of 

committing the crime. If the statute described eight means, there would be no need to use 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

9

the word “knowingly” again.

The Supreme Court in State v. Owens also reasoned that the first group of seven 

terms relates to different aspects of a single category of criminal conduct, facilitating or 

participating in the theft of property so that the purloined materials can be sold. As a 

result, the seven verbs acted as definitions of “facilitating” or “participating.” Trafficking 

in stolen property involves a second, separate category, of transferring possession of 

property known to be stolen, defined separately in the definitional section of the statute.

In State v. Butler, 194 Wn. App. 525 (2016), this court recently analyzed the 

identity theft statute at issue in this case and discussed later. The court concluded that 

RCW 9.35.020 is not an alternative means statute. The statute declares: 

(1) No person may knowingly obtain, possess, use, or transfer a 

means of identification or financial information of another person, living or 

dead, with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any crime.

. . . .

(3) A person is guilty of identity theft in the second degree when he 

or she violates subsection (1) of this section under circumstances not 

amounting to identity theft in the first degree. . . .

The Butler court compared the four verbs used to describe identity theft to the seven 

verbs in State v. Owens, holding:

[t]he verbs here are not distinct means by which to commit identity 

theft, but rather are multiple facets of a single means. For instance, 

following the analysis in Owens, it would be hard to imagine the crime of 

identity theft being committed by a single act of “using” a check that did 

not also involve “obtaining” and “possessing” the check. Likewise, one 

could not “transfer” financial information without also “obtaining” and 

“possessing” that information.
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

10

State v. Butler, 194 Wn. App. at 530. The court rejected the argument that the four verbs 

differed because not all of the terms interconnected. Karon Butler underscored that one 

could “obtain” financial information without “using” or “transferring” the information. 

The court answered that the same argument existed regarding the terms in Owens. A 

person might “finance” or “initiate” a theft without “managing” or “supervising” the 

crime. The Butler court reasoned that every verb need not correspond with every other 

verb in order to be considered a single means. The court concluded: 

[b]ecause no single action in the statute could be completed without 

simultaneously completing at least one other action, the various acts are too 

similar to constitute distinct alternative means. 

State v. Butler, 194 Wn. App. at 530.

In Jose Barboza-Cortes’ appeal, I must determine the proximity in thought and 

action of the three verbs “own,” “possess,” and “control” in relation to a firearm as found 

in RCW 9.41.040(2)(a). I find the words “possess” and “control” similar in nature such 

that, if the statute contained only the two verbs, RCW 9.41.040(2)(a) would not constitute 

an alternative means crime. If one possesses the firearm, one necessarily exercises some 

control over the weapon. If one controls the firearm, one generally actually or 

constructively possesses the weapon. The law often equates control with possession. 

State v. Callahan, 77 Wn.2d 27, 29, 459 P.2d 400 (1969); State v. Summers, 107 Wn. 

App. 373, 383-84, 28 P.3d 780, 785, 43 P.3d 526 (2001). 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

11

But RCW 9.41.040(2)(a) contains a third verb, “own.” The act of ownership is 

significantly different from possession or control. Four months ago, I lent my car jack to 

a stranded motorist. Despite providing the motorist with my name and phone number, 

the motorist has never returned the jack. I remain the owner of the car jack, but I lack 

possession or control over the instrument. Because of the distinct nature of ownership 

from possession, the motorist could be prosecuted for a crime. The landlord of rental 

premises lacks possession over the property and holds little control over the property’s 

use. The law shields the landlord from criminal liability for the crimes of the tenant 

except in circumcised circumstances. State v. Roberts, 80 Wn. App. 342, 356, 908 P.2d 

892 (1996). The lessor of a rental car lacks possession and control over the operation of 

the car. Therefore, I conclude second degree unlawful possession of a firearm, under 

RCW 9.41.040(2)(a), constitutes a limited alternative means crime with ownership being 

a distinct means. 

One impediment in resolving the question of whether unlawful possession of a 

firearm under RCW 9.41.040(2)(a) constitutes an alternative means crime is the lack of 

foreign and Washington law to assist. In many Washington reported decisions, the trial 

court instructed the jury that the defendant committed the crime if he or she possessed or 

controlled the weapon but omitted from the instruction ownership of the firearm. State v. 

Releford, 148 Wn. App. 478, 495, 200 P.3d 729 (2009); State v. Holt, 119 Wn. App. 712 

(2004); State v. Shouse, 119 Wn. App. 793, 796, 83 P.3d 453 (2004). Many foreign 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

12

statutes only prohibit the possession of a firearm by a felon. N.Y. PENAL Law § 265.02 

(New York); 720 ILL. COMP. Stat. 5/24-1.1 (Illinois); TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 46.04 

(Texas). A federal statute that prohibits movement of firearms in interstate commerce by 

one convicted of a crime, punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, prohibits 

possession, but not ownership, of a firearm. 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (statute declared 

unconstitutional as applied in Binderup v. Attorney General United States, 836 F.3d 336 

(3d Cir. 2016), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 2323 (2017). The fact that other states and the 

United States Congress only prohibit possession suggests that ownership is distinct from 

possession. 

In United States v. Casterline, 103 F.3d 76 (9th Cir. 1996), the circuit court of 

appeals noted that 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) does not ban ownership and ownership does not 

equate with possession. The court suggested that one could transfer possession of a 

firearm, such as to a pawnshop, during the period of a felon’s disability without violating 

the law when the statute does not prohibit ownership of the firearm. 

In Jackson v. State, 1 Kan. App. 2d 744, 573 P.2d 637 (1977), the Kansas 

intermediate appellate court denied the accused’s application for a new trial on charges 

that he unlawfully possessed a firearm. The accused presented purportedly newly 

discovered evidence that someone else owned the weapon. The court reasoned that, even 

assuming such evidence to be true, ownership of the gun lacks relevance because the 

accused was convicted only of possession. 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

13

Because I conclude that unlawful possession of a firearm is in part an alternative 

means crime, I must now review whether sufficient evidence supports each alternate 

means. In alternative means cases, when substantial evidence supports all alternative 

means submitted to the jury, unanimity as to the means is not required. State v.

Armstrong, 188 Wn.2d 333, 340, 394 P.3d 373 (2017); State v. Woodlyn, 188 Wn.2d 157, 

164, 392 P.3d 1062 (2017). Conversely, if insufficient evidence supports any of the 

means, the constitution demands a particularized expression of juror unanimity. State v. 

Woodlyn, 188 Wn.2d at 165. When insufficient evidence supports one of the alternative 

means charged and the jury does not specify that it unanimously agreed on the other 

alternative, we face the danger that the jury rested its verdict on an invalid ground. State 

v. Armstrong, 188 Wn.2d at 343-44. 

I note two anomalies regarding the alternative means crime rule of sufficient or 

substantial evidence. First, the constitution demands that one be convicted of a crime 

beyond a reasonable doubt. In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 362, 90 S. Ct. 1068, 25 L. Ed. 

2d 368 (1970). One might conclude then that, on review before an appellate court, the 

State must provide overwhelming evidence or proof beyond a reasonable doubt of guilt 

for each alternative means so that we do not face a compromise of jury unanimity. No 

decision forwards such a proposition. Second, one might reason that, if the State 

provides overwhelming evidence of guilt on one of the alternative means, harmless error 

saves the verdict from reversal. After all, a unanimous jury could convict the accused of 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

14

the crime if the evidence supports only one alternative means beyond a reasonable doubt. 

No decision supports this proposition. 

I agree that the State provided sufficient evidence that Jose Barboza-Cortes 

possessed and controlled the Stevens model shotgun. I conclude, however, that the State 

provided insufficient or insubstantial evidence of ownership of the shotgun. Some of the 

reasons previously listed for why second degree unlawful possession of a firearm 

constitutes an alternative means crime supports a conclusion that the State provided 

insufficient evidence to convict of ownership of the shotgun. Possession and control 

comprise different concepts from ownership. 

The State contends that substantial circumstantial evidence supports a finding that 

Jose Barboza-Cortes owned the embedded shotgun. The State emphasizes that BarbozaCortes must have owned all possessions in his basement apartment, particularly any 

personal property between mattresses. But common experience does not link possession 

with ownership. The law also declares that possession is not ownership. Hartford 

Accident & Indemnity Co. v. Goossen, 84 Cal. App. 3d 649, 653, 148 Cal. Rptr. 784 

(1978); Cook v. Revenue Division of Michigan Department of Treasury, 396 Mich. 176, 

240 N.W.2d 247, 251 (1976); Godwin v. McGehee, 19 Ala. 468, 471 (1851). 

The State highlights that law enforcement found the firearm between two 

mattresses and that Barboza-Cortes was the only tenant in the basement. Nevertheless, 

even if Barboza-Cortes inserted the gun between the mattresses, it does not follow that he 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

15

owned the firearm. He could have hidden the firearm for a friend. The State underscores 

that Jose Barboza-Cortes conceded that he owned the methamphetamine found in the 

apartment. If anything, this emphasis harms the State’s position, since Barboza-Cortes 

never conceded he owned the firearm. 

In the civil context of the family car doctrine, the Washington Supreme Court 

adopted the following factors in determining who owns an automobile: (a) who paid for 

the car, (b) who had the right to control the use of the car, (c) the intent of the parties who

bought and sold the car, (d) the intent of the parents and the child relative to ownership, 

(e) to whom did the seller make delivery of the car, (f) who exercised property rights in 

the car from the date of its purchase to the date of the accident, and (g) any other 

circumstantial evidence that may tend to establish the fact of ownership. Coffman v. 

McFadden, 68 Wn.2d 954, 958-59, 416 P.2d 99 (1966). In Jose Barboza-Cortes’ 

prosecution, the State presented no testimony concerning the registration of the firearm, 

the purchaser of the shotgun, who had the right to control the gun, who placed the gun 

between the mattresses, how long the firearm had been present in the mattresses, who 

handled the gun, or who used the gun. The State never even argued to the jury that Jose 

Barboza-Cortes owned the shotgun. 

I would vacate Jose Barboza-Cortes’ conviction of unlawful possession of a 

firearm and remand for a new trial on the charge. 
No. 34356-1-III

State v. Barboza-Cortes (concur in part/dissent in part)

16

SECOND DEGREE IDENTITY THEFT

I agree with the lead author’s analysis with regard to second degree identity theft 

being an alternative means crime when distinguishing between financial information and 

means of identification. I add the following comments. 

A statute divided into subparts is more likely to designate alternative means. State 

v. Butler, 194 Wn. App. at 528 (2016); State v. Lindsey, 177 Wn. App. at 241 (2013). 

Similarly a statute that defines terms separately is more likely to create an alternative 

means crime. The separate definitions define distinct acts or, in our appeal, distinct 

subject matters to which a criminal act adheres. Some cases hold that definitional 

statutes do not create additional alternative means for a crime. State v. Smith, 159 Wn.2d 

778, 785, 154 P.3d 873 (2007); State v. Linehan, 147 Wn.2d 638, 646, 56 P.3d 542 

(2002). Nevertheless, in each case the statute gave definition to one word not separate 

definitions for distinct words or phrases. 

The State argues that, since it presented no evidence of Jose Barboza-Cortes’ use 

of Dava Construction’s financial information, the jury must have based its verdict only on 

the alternative means of obtaining, possessing, or using the construction company’s 

means of identification. The State even conceded during oral argument that no evidence 

supported the taking of financial information of Dava Construction. Therefore, the State 

asks us to uphold the jury verdict. The State cites no case supporting its argument. The 

State does not contend the jury was bound by its concession. The State’s contention 
No. 34356-1-111 

State v. Barboza-Cortes ( concur in part/dissent in part) 

would probably nullify the requirement of jury unanimity in an alternative means crime, 

since the State can always argue, in prosecutions when it failed to provide insufficient 

evidence ·of one of the alternate methods, that the jury must have based its decision on the 

means on which it presented substantial evidence. 

Fearing, J. 

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